. >>> the obama administration is stepping up its lobbying push on iran today. secretary of state john kerry is will try to persuade capitol hill skeptics on both sides of the aisle to give him more time before passing new sanctions that the white house argues would derail sensitive nuclear negotiations and make it more likely that iran successfully develops a nuclear weapon. last night kerry assured an american jewish audience that the u.s. will hold firm on its red line on iran. >> we will not allow iran to acquire a nuclear weapon, not now, not ever. >> aides say a bipartisan group of senators is, quote, inches from finalizing a deal on sanctions legislation. it hopes to attach as an amendment to the defense authorization bill which congress could vote on before it adjourns for the holidays. now, in an interview with "time" magazine iran's foreign minister warned if lawmakers passed any new sanctions, then the entire deal is dead. we do not like to negotiate under duress. if congress adopts sanctions it shows lack of seriousness and lack of a desire to achiev